Released in the United States on November 26th 2025, Zootopia 2 took theaters by storm grossing an astounding, international, $556 million opening weekend. Experts project it will surpass $1 billion by the end of December and it now holds the biggest global opening of all animated films surpassing the previous record holder, Ne Zha 2.

Nine years after the hit original release Zootopia, fans were left in anticipation for the next addition to the franchise. The original film, Zootopia, follows a rabbit named Judy Hopps and her journey to becoming a cop and experiencing the discrimination that follows, being a prey animal in the predator dominated field of law enforcement in the anthropomorphic world of Zootopia.

The story is an allegory of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes told through the crime fighting lense of a rabbit Judy Hopps and her fox sidekick Nick Wilde.

Following this theme, the second addition to the franchise picks up one week after fox Nick Wilde joins the police force, ZPD, partnering up with rabbit Judy Hopps. Their personality differences land them in mandated therapy to avoid being separated as partners. This leads on a journey of self discovery and problem solving as they uncover the mysterious presence of the pit viper “Gary De-Snake” and the dark reptilian history Zootopian elites cover up in the dark shadows of the city.

The previously action-centered movie takes a more artistic approach, focusing now on the conveying of emotional and physical processing of individual and societal discrimination.

The movie concludes with a speech by Nick explaining his emotional processing behind Judy and Nick’s relationship as partners and how, previously, he has failed to express his strong emotions towards Judy.

Nick states, “I don’t care that we’re different… No one else in the world matters more to me than you do.” This perfectly illustrates Nick’s overcoming of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes as Nick acknowledges their differences and still chooses to support, partner, and appreciate his relationship with Judy, pushing past societal expectations with foxes typically being solitary animals without a “pack.”

Audience members have divided opinions on the film,“I really liked how they went into investigating the different dynamics, especially since Nick and Judy are in a very unique relationship, given they come from a world that solely consists of predator and prey species,” said senior Kayla Niderstrasser. She then went on to express her positive viewing experience, highlighting the story and character dynamics between Judy and Nick as key features of the film.

For example, when asked about the theme of the movie, Niderstrasser noted, “I think a big theme was the relationship dynamic between Judy and Nick, the story navigates them being so different, yet loving each other so much. Also the discrimination within Zootopia, the discussions around reptiles and how some animals are treated differently than others on the basis of species. I think that alluded to a lot of real world problems and it’s something the film executed really well.”

In contrast, junior, Lilian Kalish, expressed her mixed feelings towards the film stating, “I really liked the songs and the vibrant colors, but I didn’t like how they followed the same formula as the last movie, Zootopia one.” She then expressed her distaste for the movie’s lack of story originality, comparing it to other “rinse and repeat movies.” She stated, “I didn’t like that they pretty much did the same plot twist, I also think the first movie was better than the second and I think the first movie had better plot structure and originality. It feels like a lot happened and nothing happened at the same time.”
But her favorite feature of the movie was, “ I liked the incorporation of music and how they brought back the Shakira songs from the ending of the last movie.”

The new Zootopia movie, despite all of its reviews, is, overall, a perfectly entertaining movie for the entire family. It offers something for everyone from jokes, emotional moments, and action packed scenes. It is worth the watch!